Although many have welcomed recent investments in child care in Nova Scotia, some advocates are concerned that the province may be jeopardizing its progress by allocating expansion funds to private daycares.
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Brendan Maguire has indicated the necessity of allowing investment in the private daycare sector, in addition to federal funding, to achieve the goal of implementing $10-a-day child care on average by March 2026.
Maguire mentioned during the fall sitting of the legislature that after establishing the guidelines with the federal government, a small percentage of private daycares would be included to help meet the required number of child care spaces.
This move would involve renegotiating the 2021 Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, a $605-million deal with Ottawa signed by the former Nova Scotia Liberal government and the government of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2021.
However, the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Directors Association, consisting of approximately 30 to 40 daycare directors across the province, strongly opposes the allocation of public funds to private operations.
Janessa Williams, co-chair of the Non-Profit Directors Association and executive director of Needham Early Learning Centre in Halifax, emphasized that child care should be regarded as a public service, not a business, as outlined in the initial agreement requiring all federal funds to support the non-profit child care sector in Nova Scotia.
While acknowledging the current importance of private daycare providers in Nova Scotia’s child care system, Williams stressed the need to focus on developing a publicly funded system similar to the public school system.
The provincial Department of Education declined an interview request but affirmed in an email that the province is committed to collaborating with federal partners to achieve $10-a-day child care on average.
Communications adviser Krista Higdon stated, “The 2021-26 agreement was signed by the previous [provincial] government shortly before an election, unfortunately having no avenue for private operators to access expansion funding. We are continuing discussions with federal partners on the eligibility of private child care operators for expansion under the bilateral agreement.”
Previously, the province requested Ottawa to reconsider allowing expansion funds for the private sector, which was declined under the former federal government.
Higdon mentioned that a commitment was received from the current federal government for a five-year extension to child-care agreements as part of the 2027-2031 agreement development.
However, Saskia Rodenburg from the federal Department of Employment and Social Development indicated that negotiations for a new Canada-wide ELCC agreement with Nova Scotia have not yet taken place.
Child Care Now Nova Scotia, an advocacy group, opposes funding private daycare operators, considering it a misstep and emphasizing the importance of sticking to commitments in the Canada-wide agreement.
Findlay argues for the stability provided by the non-profit sector compared to private daycares, which can unpredictably close, emphasizing the need for reliable services for parents and future generations.
She and Williams advocate for ensuring quality